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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WERS/ER.N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


CiHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  IVIicroreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notet/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


T 
t< 


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D 


D 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag^e 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
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I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


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D 
D 
D 
0 
D 


D 


Coloured  pages/ 
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Pages  endommagdes 

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Pages  restauries  et/ou  pellicul6es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
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etc.,  ont  4ti  fiimies  d  nouveau  de  faqon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


T 

P 
o 
fi 


O 
b 
tt 
si 
o 
fi 
si 

Ol 


Tl 
si 
Tl 
w 

M 
di 
er 
be 

rit 
re 
m 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


'e 

Stalls 
)8  du 
nodifiar 
ir  una 
llmaga 


IS 


Tha  copy  filmad  hara  has  baan  raproducad  thanks 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 

Library  of  the  Public 
Archivas  of  Canada 

Tha  Imagas  appearing  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  Iceeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covors  ara  filmad 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^»>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  Y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


L'exemplaira  filmi  fut  reproduit  grAce  k  la 
gAnArositt  de: 

La  bibliothdqua  des  Archives 
pubiiques  du  Canada 

Las  images  sulvantes  ont  4t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  conditl«)n  at 
de  la  nettet«  de  l'exemplaira  film*,  et  er. 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
fllmaga. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  filmte  en  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  et  en  termlnant  soit  par  la 
darnldre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impresslon  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmis  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  pegs  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impresslon  ou  d'illustration  at  en  terminant  par 
la  darniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  upparaTtra  sur  la 
darniire  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — »>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  These  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  „^ornar,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Las  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
fllmte  A  des  taux  da  reduction  diff^rants. 
Lorsqua  la  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  11  est  film«  A  partir 
de  i'angle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  an  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mtthoda. 


arrata 
to 


pelure, 
in  d 


□ 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

I 


AN 


ADDRESS, 


DELIVERED  AT  SPRINGFIELD,  BEFORE  THE 


IB^amtflftn  Colonif Ktion  Socfrt^i 


July  4th,  18:88. 


BY  WILLIAM  B.  O.  PEABODY. 


PUBLISHED  BY  REQUEST  OF  THE  SOCIETV. 


SPRIJ^GFIELD. 
PRINTED  BY  S.  BOWLfiS. 

1838. 


k     i 


I. 


■-r  '    .1. 


« 


•f    -'.-M'Xi* 


y  ■  ■  i';  1 


ADDRESS. 


The  condition  and  present  success  of  our  parent  so- 
ciety may  he  learned  from  the  public  prints ;  I  have 
therefore  thought  it  more  important  to  try  to  excite  an 
interest  in  the  subject  generally,  than  to  give  you  a  his- 
tory of  their  exertions.  My  subject  is,  the  reason  of 
the  imperfect  influence  of  Christianity  on  the  public  re- 
lations of  men.  This  leads  me  to  speak  of  Slavery 
and  War  ;  twin  vices,  which  have  grown  up  together ; 
which  still  outlive  many  abuses  that  Christianity  has 
overthrown ;  and  which  will  not  be  divided  in  their 
fall,  when  our  religion  governs  in  the  world. 

I  may  as  well  say  in  the  beginning,  that  I  am  speak- 
ing simply  of  the  relation  of  slavery  and  the  practice 
of  war.  I  am  not  complaining  of  the  owners  of  slaves ; 
they  cannot  get  rid  of  them  ;  it  would  be  as  humane 
to  throw  them  from  the  decks  in  the  middle  passage  aS 
to  set  them  free  in  our  country.  Neither  do  1  con- 
demn defensive  war ;  it  rests  upon  the  right  of  self- 
defence,  which  individuals  possess,  and  may  delegate 
to  governments  if  they  will.  I  have  no  taste  for  sweep- 
ing condemnation.    I  can  sympathise  with  the  owners 


4 


of  slaves,  ami  admire  the  patriotic  defenders  of  their 
country,  while  I  detest  war  and  slavery  with  all  my 
heart. 

Some  profess  to  think  it  surprising  that  these  evils 
should  still  exist.  Christianity  in  many  a  glorious  in- 
stance has  mastered  human  passions  ;  it  has  gained 
many  a  victory  over  hoary  abuses,  and  given  liberty, 
humanity  and  happiness  to  men.  Still  these  great 
scandals  of  the  world  exist ;  and  I  think  it  is  not  sur- 
prising that  Christianity  has  not  put  them  down.  For 
in  these  matters  Christianity  influences  men  through 
the  means  of  men  ;  it  has  no  authority  here  more 
than  men  choose  to  allow  it,  and  to  say  that  our 
religion  has  not  produced  its  effect  is  the  same  as  say- 
ing what  is  sadly  true,  that  it  has  never  yet  been  heart- 
ily embraced  and  cheered  onward  by  men.  Our  mis- 
take is  a  very  common  one  ;  we  think  ourselves  better 
than  we  are  ;  we  take  it  for  granted  that  we  are  Chris- 
tians, and  then  wonder  that  our  Christianity  has  so 
little  power.  But  the  real  cause  of  wonder  is  this ; 
that  men  having  Christianity,  a  religion  in  which  all 
their  enduring  interests  are  bound  up  ;  a  religion  unit- 
ing in  itself  the  power  of  God  and  the  wisdom  of 
God ;  a  religion  containing  inducements,  which  one 
would  say  were  little  short  of  almighty  ;  it  is  wonder- 
ful indeed,  that  men,  having  such  a  religion,  should  do 
so  little  to  correct  their  opinions  by  it  and  to  encourage 
the  feelings  it  inspires. 

When  I  mention  some  reasons  of  the  imperfect  in- 
fluence of  Christianity,  it  may  appear  that  there  is  some 
deficiency  on  our  part.  We  have  all  of  us  some  duties 
left  undone  ;  and  we  must  remember  that  we  are  not 
to  take  the  voyage  of  life  in  a  pleasure  boat ;  we  must 
have  some  exposure,  some  efforts  and  sacrifices  to 
f?how  before  wc  can  bear  the  name  of  Christian. 


•I 


H! 


The  first  reason  that  Christianity  has  had  so  httlo 
efi'ect  upon  war  and  shivery  is,  that  men  regard  the 
letter  more  tlian  the  spirit  of  the  religion.  They  arc 
apt  to  measure  and  Weigh  their  duties,  that  they  may 
learn  how  far  they  7mist  go ;  and  how  much  can  be 
left  undone.  Many  have  tried  to  show  that  these 
things  are  not  directly  prohibited  in  scripture,  taking 
for  granted  that  every  thing  not  forbidden  in  so  many 
words,  is  allowed.  This  reasoning  has  had  and  still 
has  great  effect ;  and  yet  it  would  be  easy  to  show  that 
a  man  might  be  thoroughly  abandoned,  without  seem- 
ing to  violate  the  letter  of  the  Christian  law.  Chris- 
tianity does  not  attempt  to  push  back  the  rushing  tor- 
rents of  passion ;  it  goes  to  the  fountain  head,  and 
checks  thc^m  w  hen  they  are  just  beginning  to  flow. — 
fVhence  come  ivars  and  Jighllngs  amonf(  you ?  If  they 
come  from  y«ur  lusts  and  passions,  Christianity  forbids 
your  indulging  these  passions,  and  thus  prohibits  war. 
It  forbids  slavery,  when  it  commands  men  to  be  just 
and  kind  to  each  other  ;  and  this  is  enough  for  one 
who  desires  to  know  and  to  do  his  duty. 

This  defence  however  is  a  mere  evasion.  No  man 
criticises  in  this  way  the  terms  of  a  law  which  he  is 
well  disposed  to  obey.  If  a  man  is  resolved  to  perse- 
vere in  vice,  this  is  exactly  the  course  he  takes  to  si- 
lence others ;  he  shows  to  them  though  he  does  not 
believe  it  himself,  that  the  letter  of  the  law  is  not  so 
strict  as  they  would  make  it.  In  this  place  I  need  not 
say  that  such  a  measured,  half-way  obedience  to  the 
law  of  God  is  not  Christianity.  The  Christian  evades 
nothing,  shuts  his  eyes  to  nothing,  explains  nothing 
away ;  he  traces  the  broadest  possible  outline  of  his 
duty,  and  fulfils  it  to  the  utmost  of  his  power.  The 
man  must  be  of  a  different  stamp,  who  does  not  per- 
cqive  that  the  spirit  of  Christianity  is  a  spirit  of  free- 


t) 


II 


(lorn  ;  tliat  its  object  is  to  raise  the  valley  and  bring 
the  mountain  low,  to  place  men  on  a  level  as  respects 
their  rights  and  privilcii^es  ;  now,  to  deprive  man  of 
his  self-direction  ;  to  force  him  to  live,  move,  and  have 
his  b<iins  dei)endent  on  another's  will ;  to  abridge  his 
means  of  improvement,  and  thus  cut  him  off  from 
the  higher  destiny  of  man  ;  to  keep  his  frame  in  un- 
ceasing labour,  and  condemn  his  mind  to  perpetual 
rest;  such  vile  bondage  of  the  soul  is  entirely  incon- 
sistent with  the  spirit  of  that  religion,  which  directs 
us  to  measure  the  rights  and  claims  of  others  by  our 
own.  It  should  seem  as  if  m&n  were  bound  to  si  / 
some  high  commission  for  thus  fastening  his  chains  on 
a  body  and  soul  as  manly  as  his  own  ;  to  point  out 
where  the  command  to  love  his  neighbour  as  himself 
has  been  set  aside  in  his  favor,  or  at  least,  to  explain 
how  the  sun-burnt  shade  upon  the  face,  disqualifies  the 
slave  for  happiness  in  this  world  and  preparation  for 
the  life  to  come. 

Another  reason  of  the  limited  influence  of  Christian- 
ity is,  that  it  requires  great  Christian  [)rinciple  to  make 
men  abandon  vices,  and  very  little  to  make  men  disap- 
prove them.  They  content  themselves  with  simply 
disapproving  their  own  sins.  But  do  you  consider  it 
much,  for  a  man  to  condemn  his  own  vices  ?  No  such 
thing  !  You  know  that  even  the  guilty  will  go  as  far 
as  this,  without  the  least  idea  of  reforming  their  lives. 
Yet  w^e  fall  into  precisely  this  errour  in  regard  to  pub- 
lic opinion ;  we  consider  it  a  matter  of  triumph  when 
the  general  sentiment  sets  strongly  against  any  prevail- 
ing sin.  A  triumph  perhaps  it  is ;  but  not  half  so 
great  as  we  imagine ;  for  long  after  men  have  learned 
to  condemn  the  public  reproach,  you  find  it  neverthe- 
less impossible  to  make  them  cast  it  away.  The  public 
voice  is  lifted  up  against  slavery ;    against  war  too, 


\ 


I! 


d  bring 
espects 

man  of 
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dirccts 

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sider  it 
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when 
revail- 
alf  so 
sarned 
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public 
too. 


though  less  decidedly  ;  bni  we  must  have  little  expe- 
rience, if  we  suppose  that  mere  censure  is  to  destroy 
them.  For  where  is  the  condemnation  of  slavery 
more  general  and  sincere  than  in  England  and  the  Uni- 
ted IStates  ?  Yet  these  two  nations  hold  more  human 
beings  in  bondage,  than  all  the  rest  of  the  civili/ed 
world  put  togetlier  ;  w  here  can  you  find  the  bU\ssings 
of  peace  set  forth  more  impressively,  than  in  an  un- 
principled declaration  of  war  ? 

It  is  mere  romance  to  suppose  that  the  influence  of 
Christianity  is  felt,  when  men  only  cease  to  condemn 
their  crimes.  But  if  we  can  see  this  point  gained,  it 
is  something  ;  it  may  encourage  us  to  redouble  our  ef- 
forts to  bring  about  the  desired  reform.  Still  we 
must  not  regard  the  nations  as  fully  persuaded  to  be 
Christian,  because  they  tremble  for  a  moment  like  Fe- 
lix before  the  eloquence  of  Paul ;  for  though  Christian- 
ity simply  condemns  the  practice,  men,  influenced  by 
Christianity,  must  go  so  far  as  to  put  down  the  prac- 
tice ;  for  right  judgement  is  not  the  same  with  right, 
conduct ;  and  men  must  act  upon  their  principles,  be- 
fore they  can  deserve  the  name  of  Christians. 

A  third  reason  of  the  limited  influence  of  Christian- 
ity is  that  we  consider  this  point  as  gained  already. — 
We  think  that  the  public  feeling  is  sufficiently  alive  to 
the  criminality  of  slavery  and  war,  and  that  no  exer- 
tions are  necessary  to  add  to  the  prevailing  conviction 
of  their  guilt.  I  must  say  that  we  take  praise  to  our- 
selves too  soon.  Christianity  can  do  but  little  to  re- 
form the  world,  if  men  are  so  easily  satisfied  with  their 
success.  I  look  in  vain  for  the  proofs  of  this  general 
condemnation  of  these  gigantic  sins.  I  see  on  the 
contrary  a  lofty  and  enthusiastic  interest  everywhere 
excited  by  deeds  of  battle  and  blood.  I  see  the  guilty 
paths  of  great  destroyers,  traced  upon  the  map  with 


brcatliless  cmoilon  ;  I  sci;  the  finest  productions  of 
earthly  inspiration  ^rovvin^  out  ot  this  corruption,  like 
Avild  llowcrs  from  tlic  h(;aps  vvhtjre  the  bodies  of  the 
shiin  decay,  and  the  warmest  reverence  the  world  can 
sive,  lavished  on  those,  who  tranq)le  most  widely  and 
carelessly  on  the  rights  and  feelings  of  men.  We  may 
say  that  we  admire  not  the  destruction  nor  the  guilt ; 
not  the  field  shaken  with  artillery  and  sli|)pery  with 
blood,  but  the  great  intellectual  energy  displayed  in 
guiding  the  vast  masses  of  human  power ;  this  will 
not  do ;  for  great  energy  should  be  detested  for  its  alli- 
ance with  crime,  rather  than  crime  be  forgiven  be- 
cause united  w  ith  energy.  The  public  religious  feel- 
ing must  be  pronounced  unsound,  so  long  as  men  can 
admire  these  splendid  sins  ;  and  it  is  absolutely  impos- 
sible for  one  who  worships  these  destroyers,  to  have  any 
real  reverence  for  the  gentle  greatness  of  the  Son  of 
God.  Still  I  see  this  delusion  everywhere  spread.  1 
.see  these  magniiicerit  outlaws  gazed  on  by  Christians 
with  overpowerii!  admiration,  while  the  fair  fame  of 
mere  defenders  of  their  country  seems  dull  and  tame 
beside  them.  Even  that  man  to  whom  this  land  is 
more  indebted  than  to  any  other  ;  whose  name  might 
be  pronounced  here,  without  taking  the  place  in  vain  ; 
I  sec  that  his  greatness,  beside  that  of  heroes  as  the 
world  calls  them,  seems  cold  and  lifeless  as  the  mar- 
ble from  which  they  have  hewn  his  form. 

Neither  is  public  opinion  more  decided  on  the  sub- 
ject of  slavery.  There  are  not  many  who  will  say 
that  the  relation  of  master  of  slave  is  defensible  in 
itself,  but  there  is  no  general  sense  of  the  importance 
of  using  every  endeavour  to  remove  the  necessity 
which  is  its  only  justification.  Those  who  visit  the 
southern  section  of  our  country  generally  return  with 
their  aversion  to  slavery  much  lessened  ;  if  they  carri* 


tions  of 
ion,  like 
s  of  the 
orld  can 
(iciy  and 
We  may 
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his  will 
•  its  alli- 
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lave  any 
)  Son  of 
read.     1 
iristians 
fame  of 
id  tame 
land  \& 
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}  as  the 
lie  mar- 
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^'ill  say 
iible  in 
ortance 
jcessity 
isit  the 
n  with 
y  carri- 


r»,tl  with  them  an  Jiversion  to  slave-holders,  it  is  well  to 
to  have  it  removed  ;  for  nothing  can  be  more;  unjttsi 
than  to  censure  them  for  receiving  this  sad  inheritance 
from  their  fathers;  but  it  is  not  well  that  they  should 
forget  that  slavery  is  an  unnatural  relation,  even  in  its 
mildest  form.  1  do  not  doubt  that  masters  treat  their 
slaves  with  kindness,  nor  that  the  slaves  are  happier 
than  they  could  be  if  set  free  in  this  country  ;  1  be- 
lieve that  many  a  slave-holder  would  nyoice  to  throw 
off  the  burden ;  but  they  should  never  forget,  that 
when  the  necessity  which  now  weighs  upon  them  ex- 
ists no  longer,  no  humanity  on  their  part  will  atone  for 
their  holding  man  in  bondage  ;  for,  deprive  man  of 
freedom,  nothing  but  the  animal  remains ;  and  the 
permission  to  live  is  but  a  poor  indulgence  after  he 
has  lost  every  thing  that  made  life  worth  possessing, 
every  thing  that  distinguishes  man  made  to  be  immor- 
tal, from  the  beasts  that  return  to  the  dust  from  which 
they  sprung. 

It  must  be  confessed,  that,  if  there  is  any  general 
condemnation  of  war  and  slavery,  it  is  exceedingly  de*- 
licate  and  sparing  ;  the  stern  tones  of  the  accuser  sink 
into  faintness  in  front  of  these  old  and  mighty  corrup- 
tions ;  when,  to  make  himself  heard  through  all  the 
prejudices  and  follies,  interests  and  passions  of  men,  he 
should  speak  in  the  thunder's  voice. 

Another  obstacle  to  Christian  influences  has  been, 
that  men  have  applied  a  different  morality  to  public 
and  private  affairs.  In  private  concerns  they  profess 
to  follow  Christianity  ;  but  in  public  relations  they  have 
made  up  a  different  standard  of  right  and  wrong ;  a 
standard  of  interest  and  convenience,  founded  on  the 
right  of  power.  Thus  we  hear  measures  defended  on 
the  ground  of  necessity,  in  which  there  is  no  necessity, 
except  what  oppression  creates  for  itself;  thus,   bel- 


T 


i 


III 


1^ 

ligerciits  claim  a  li^Fit  to  plunder  neutral  vessels  trad- 
ing witii  their  enemy ;  thus  private  property  is  free 
spoil  on  the  seas,  while  all  eivilized  nations  profess  to 
respect  it  on  shore.  In  more  peaceful  relations  there 
have  l>e'  I  equally  unsocial  and  unnatural  opinions; 
thus  it  was  formerly,  perhaps  is  still  believed,  that  one 
nation  could  not  increase  in  wealth  except  in  propor- 
tion as  others  lost.  We  have  sometimes  heard  it  sug- 
gested that  slavery  is  justifiable  in  warm  climates,  be- 
cause I  he  heat  makes  it  hard  for  w  hites  to  labour ;  and 
that  it  is  right  to  involve  half  the  world  in  war,  because 
an  insult  has  been  offered  to  some  paltry  flag  upon  a 
distant  sea.  This  is  national  honour  ;  a  word  which 
rleserves  the  curse  which  David  breathed  upon  the 
mountain*^  where  the  mighty  had  fallen. 

What  influence  can  Christianity  have  on  public  re- 
lations where  such  maxims  are  tolerated  or  forgiven? 
The  law  of  nations  is  only  an  enlargement  of  the  rules 
of  justice  and  kindness  that  are  binding  on  individuals. 
Is  a  man  who  has  a  quai  rel  with  a  neighbour,  justified 
in  preventing  all  others  from  trading  with  that  neigh- 
bour ?    Does  any  man  feel  as  if  he  had  personally  a 
better  right  to  rob  and  steal  on  the  water  than  on 
shore  ?    Yet  such  is   the  claim  of   belligerents,  and 
such  the  piracy  which  is  called  privateering  and  repri- 
sal.    Does  any  one  think  that  there  is  no  such  thing 
as  fair  exchange  between  individuals  ;  that  no  man  can 
prosper  in  business  except  by  injuring  others  ?     Does 
any  one  think  it  right  to  involve  all  his  friends  in  mis- 
cry,  because  some  trifling  insult  has  been  offered   to 
himself  ?     Such  is  the  duellist's  principle.     More  pro- 
foiind  absurdities  than  these  cannot  be  imagined  ;  still 
they  rise  up  in  the  world  and  set  bounds  to  the  influ- 
ence of  Christianity.     But  Christianity  requires  the 
same  of  nations  as  of  individuals ;  and  if  any  nation 


u 


sscis  trad' 
y  is  free 
profess  to 
5ns  there 
opinions  ; 
that  one 
1  propor- 
rd  it  sng- 
ates,  be- 
our ;  and 
,  because 
g  upon  a 
rd  which 
upon  the 

ublic  re- 
brgiven  ? 
the  rules 
lividuals. 
justified 

neigh- 
sonally  a 
than  on 
>nts,  and 
id  repri' 
ch  thing 
man  can 
'  Does 
in  mis- 
ered  to 
ore  pro- 
id;  still 
le  influ- 
ires  the 

nation 


under  pretence  of  barbarous  precedent  or  selfish  inter- 
est refuses  to  submit  to  it,  thai  nation''^  God  is  not 
the  Lord. 

But  one  reason  of  the  limited  influence  of  Christian- 
ity on  i)ublic  relations  perhaps  includes  all  the  rest  that 
can  be  given.  Where  is  there  a  Christian  nation  ? 
where  is  there  a  conmiunity  to  exert  this  happy  influ- 
ence ?  I  know  that  many  individuals  everyw  here  are 
faithful,  and  there  are  many  regions  where  religion  is 
honoured  and  regaixled  ;  but  1  know  of  none  on  the 
face  of  the  earth,  where  Christian  principles  govern, 
nor  where  the  spirit  of  Christianity  prevails  against  the 
spirit  of  selfishness  and  the  world.  Where  i^  the  feai* 
of  God  foremost  among  those  thoughts  which  every 
day  j)ass  over  the  hearts  of  men  by  millions  ?  where 
do  men  even  think  of  doing  to  others  as  they  would 
have  others  do  to  them  ?  What  community  maintains 
on  the  whole  such  a  chaiacter  as  our  religion  is  de- 
signed to  form  ?  In  a  Christiim  country,  the  law  of 
God  should  be  at  least  as  well  obeyed  as  the  law  of 
the  land  ;  but  if  the  laws  of  the  land  were  as  often 
and  fearfully  broken  as  those  of  Christianity,  society 
coidd  not  hold  together.  Clu-istian  communities  then 
uaust  not  be  expected  to  remove  these  evils  from  the 
world. 

Are  they  to  operate  through  their  representatives  in 
national  councils  ?  In  the  first  place  theie  is  no  coun- 
try but  this,  where  the  popular  feeling  is  directly  rep-' 
resented ;  in  the  second,  we  have  no  right  to  expect 
represeoitatives  to  take  a  higlier  moral  stand  than  the 
l>eople  who  send  them.  In  gathering  the  collective 
wisdom  of  a  nation,  collective  folly  must  go  with  it ; 
many  legislators  without  consulting  the  general  wel- 
fare will  talk  of  the  interests  of  those  who  send  them, 
%s  if  thej'  were  boimd  to  regard  nothing  beside,  and 


12 


I 


I  if 


M  ft 


In 


?,  if 


meantime  will  forget  to  ask  what  should  be  the  decid- 
ing question,  is  this  right  or  is  it  wrong  ?  Legislation 
strongly  tends  to  become  partial,  malicious,  and  re- 
vengeful ;  the  savage  passions  of  a  people  rush  to  con- 
centrate themselves  in  national  halls,  like  the  electric 
fluid,  harmless  when  diffused  among  the  elements,  but 
terrible  when  gathered  in  the  thunder-cloud.  While 
such  are  the  tendencies  of  those  assemblies  whatever 
proportion  of  taleat  and  wisdom  they  contain,  and 
while  public  opinion,  supposing  it  to  be  correct,  affects 
them  only  by  the  slow  process  of  changing  the  mate- 
rial of  which  they  are  composed,  it  must  he  evident  to 
all,  that  it  is  not  in  national  councils,  that  national  im- 
provement must  begin. 

Some  may  suppose  that  these  vicious  institutions 
are  too  firmly  established  for  Christianity  to  attack 
them,  with  any  hope  of  success ;  that  they  have  a 
grasp  which  can  never  be  unclenched  from  the  habits 
and  affections  of  men.  A  strong  grasp  they  certainly 
have  even  now ;  but  what  was  it  a  century  ago  ?  The 
World  has  outgrown  them,  and  begins  to  see  their  fol- 
ly, if  not  their  guilt.  The  truth  seems  to  be,  that  they 
derive  their  principal  strength  at  present,  from  the 
strange  reverence  with  which  men  regard  them,  as  in- 
stitutions founded  in  the  nature  of  man.  There  has 
been  neither  heart  nor  hope  in  the  exertions  made  to 
put  them  down. 

Look  first  at  war.  What  rational  being  thinks  that 
national  quarrels  are  decided,  by  sending  men  who 
know  not  the  provocation,  to  shoot  at  each  other  ? 
they  are  of  course  not  decided  justly  ;  and  they  are 
not  in  fact  decided  at  all.  One  party  may  submit  from 
exhaustion ;  but  the  difference  remains,  to  be  revived 
at  some  future  time,  or  give  place  to  some  other.  War 
may  gratify  the  passions  of  nations,  but  it  will  not  de- 


the  decid- 
egislation 
,  and  re- 
sh  to  con- 
e  electric 
nents,  but 
I.  While 
whatever 
tain,  and 
ct,  affects 
the  mate- 
jvident  to 
tional  im- 

istituticns 
to  attack 
y  have  a 
he  habits 
certainly 
go  ?  The 
their  fol- 
that  they 
from  the 
m,  as  in- 
lere  has 
made  to 

inks  that 
Jen  who 

other  ? 
hey  are 
nit  from 

revived 
r.    War 

not  de- 


nde  their  disputes  ;  and  in  most  cases  it  would  be  in- 
finitely better  for  both  parties  to  sit  down  with  their 
fancied  wrongs,  than  make  any  attempt  to  avenge 
them.  It  may  be  asked  how  will  nations  decide  their 
quarrels  without  war  ?  The  answer  is,  let  them  learn 
that  their  true  interests  can  never  be  opposed  to  each 
other  ;  and  if  they  cannot  believe  this,  let  them  settle 
their  disputes  as  they  will ;  in  any  way  but  this.  It  is 
enough  to  know,  that  they  cannot  devise  a  way  more 
foolish,  unchristian,  and  unsatisfactory  than  this. 

Then  look  at  slavery.  It  has  become  so  alarming, 
it  is  now  so  evident  that  at  no  distant  time,  unless  the 
order  of  nature  is  altered,  the  slaves  must  have  the 
power,  that  all  reflecting  slave-holders,  though  they 
cannot  be  expected  to  give  up  their  property,  would 
prefer  to  have  it  in  a  safer  form.  Now  there  are 
painful  restraints  upon  their  generosity  and  kindness  ; 
those  who  desire  the  religious  improvement  of  their 
slaves,  naturally  fear  to  enlighten  them,  when  it  seems 
as  if  the  letting  in  of  light  to  such  a  race  would  reveal 
the  secret  of  their  physical  strength,  and  like  the  can- 
dle in  the  fire-damp  of  the  mine,  cause  a  quick  and 
awful  explosion.  With  the  tremendous  example  of 
Hayti  before  their  eyes,  they  would  be  glad  to  get  rid 
of  their  slaves,  if  you  would  show  them  a  way ;  such  a 
way  as  this  Society,  now  in  its  beginning,  may  at  some 
future  time  affo»*d  them.  We  are  associated  in  our 
civil  interests  with  the  owners  of  slaves  ;  they  share 
our  burdens  and  we  must  aid  them  under  theirs  ;  there 
is  guilt  at  our  doors  as  well  as  theirs,  if  something  is 
not  done  to  avert  the  threatened  evil.  If  something 
is  not  done,  as  sure  as  the  decree  of  fate,  the  hour  will 
arrive,  which  some  prophetic  voice  seems  already 
to  foretell.  Oh !  thou  that  dwellest  upon  many  ivaterS: 
(xbunddnt  in  treasures ;  thine  end  shall  come  / 


14 


t\ 


\ 


Said  I  not  rightly  that  we  share  the  guilt  ?    We  are 
always  guilty,  if  we  refuse  to  aid  when  evil  may  be 
presented  or  good  may  be  done.     There  is  a  way  pro- 
posed, which  if  properly  supported,  affords  some  hope 
of  reducing  this  immense  population  ;  not,  of   course 
while  its  means  are  as  at  present  few  and  small ;   but 
when  streams  from  a  million  fountains  shall   swell   it 
into  a  tide,  which,  like  the  great  rivers  of  our  country, 
shall  cut  its  way  through  the   barrier  mountains  that 
seem  impassable  to  man.     If  you  say  that  its  resources 
are  too  small  to  effect  much,   I  allow  it ;    and  permit 
me  to  remind  you,  that  if  you  give  as  you  are  able,  its 
resources  will  be   so   much  greater.     The  colony  in 
Africa  has  been  prosperous  beyond  hope  ;  it  affords  at 
least  as  great  a  prospect  as  the  infant  settlement  of 
New  England,  of  laying  the  foundation  of  an  enlight- 
ened, happy  and  religious  people.     But  it  is   so  easy 
and  common  to  call  tliis  a  visionary  plan,   that  I   am 
content  to  put  it  upon  that  ground.     Allow  it  to  be  as 
visionary  as  its  worst  enemies  would  make  it ;  still,   if 
there  h  the  least  chance  of  its  affording  even  to  a  few 
of  that  miserable  race,  the  means  of  rising   to  happi- 
ness and  religioa,  we  aie  bound  to  cast  in  the  little  of- 
ferings of  common  charity  ;  if  tlie  chance   was  only 
one  in  a  thousand  in    favour  of   its  success,   still,  so 
long  as  it  requires  nothmg  that  we  cannot  well  sp^e, 
nothing  but  what  most  of  us  would  be  the  better  for 
sparing,  we  aie  not  at  liberty  to  balance  our   doubts 
against  the  smallest  hope  in  the  cause  of  God  and  man. 
When  I   reflect  oa  the  prosperity  of  the  people  of 
this  country,  such  prosperity  as  the  world  never  saw 
before,  there   seems  to  rest  upon  us  a  naomentous 
weight  of  obligation   to  God.     When  I  see   the  vast 
tracts  subdued  by  man  from  barrenness  unto  verdure 
and  beauty,  and  liberty  rewarding  Im  care ;  w^a  I 


In  I 


We  are 
I  may  be 
way  pro- 
ome  hope 
)f  course 
aall ;    but 

swell  it 
r  country, 
ains  that 
resources 
id  permit 
3  able,  its 
colony  in 
iffords  at 
ement  of 
1  enli^ht- 
5  so  easy 
liat  I  am 
t  to  be  as 

still,   if 

to  a  few 

o  happi- 

little  of- 

was  only 

still,  so 
!1  sp'ye, 
3tter  for 
•  doubts 
md  man. 
leople  of 
3ver  saw 
mentous 
the  vast 

verdure 

wheal 


J* 

see  the  villages  gathering  their  abodes  of  plenty  and 
peace  round  the  spires  that  rise  like  banners  of  love 
above  them  ;  when  I  see  the  wild  streams  tamed  and 
led  to  turn  the  sparkling  wheels  of  labour ;  when  I  see 
the  sails  on  every  wave  of  ocean  bringing  home 
through  their  beaten  paths  the  learning  and  luxuries 
which  our  own  land  fails  to  supply  ;  when  I  see  the 
mighty  cities  that  throng  our  shores,  filled  with  the  re- 
finements of  the  old  world,  and  far  too  much  of  its 
corruption ;  when  I  think  of  the  vast  reach  of  our 
country's  boundaries,  the  magnificence  of  its  military 
preparation,  and  the  navies  bearing  its  thunder  to  the 
utmost  limit  of  tlic  deep  ;  I  leave  it  to  others  to  boast 
of  this  growing  power ;  these  things  remind  me  of  a 
responsibility  such  as  never  rested  upon  any  people. 
I  look  for  the  gratitude  which  this  unmeasurable  bles- 
sing should  inspire,  for  mighty  efforts  in  the  cause  of 
humanity  and  religion,  at  least  for  an  attempt  to  efface 
the  wide  and  deep  stain  that  now  covers  half  our 
country,  such  as  no  other  Christian  nation  now  toler- 
ates within  its  bounds.  "' 

If  our  prosperity  is  growing  avaricious,  sensual  and 
unfeeling,  the  fate  of  a  city  recorded  in  scripture 
may  afford  us  some  instruction.  Once  the  ships  of 
every  nation  were  in  the  harbours  of  Tyre^  and  its 
prosperity  seemed  set  on  an  everlasting  foundation. 
Now  the  very  ruins  cannot  be  found  on  the  forsaken 
rock  where  it  stood.  There  is  nothing  to  exempt  us 
from  the  fate  of  others  ;  vessels  of  state  that  sailed  as 
gallantly  as  ours,  have  foundered  and  gone  down. 
\.  nen  that  time  shall  come,  may  our  country  be  re- 
membered not  by  the  splendour  of  its  ruins  nor  the 
melancholy  glory  of  successful  wars.  May  its  vestiges 
be  found  in  the  gratitude  of  a  much  injured  race,  to 
whom  in  late  atonement,  it  has  given  liberty,  happiness 


-■^ 


li'' 


and  religion  ;  then  the  historian  of  future  time,  when 
he  turns  with  disgust  from  the  uniform  records  of  vice 
and  oppression,  may  find  relief  in  dwelling  on  oin- 
country's  annals,  and  feel  his  heart  burn  within  him  as 
he  writes  them  down. 


Oh  !  thou  whose  holiest  name  is  Love  ! 
Whose  beams  of  mercy  flow 
From  all  the  radiant  heavens  above 
To  bless  the  world  below  ; 
Thy  kindness,  shared  by  all  that  live, 
Is  most  divinely  known 
To  those,  whose  hearts  have  tears  to  give- 
To  sorrows  nqt  their  own. 

While  each,  beneath  thy  bounteous  hand, 

Some  gift  of  mercy  bears, 

Thy  love  hath  blessed  our  native  land 

Beyond  our  warmest  prayers. 

The  blessings  given  to  ages  past, 

The  light  they  asked  in  vain 

Are  blended  in  our  land  at  last ; 

An  Israel  lives  again  ! 

Soon  as  our  cry  was  heard  above 

Thy  mercy  made  us  free  : 

But  oh !  how  thankless  for  thy  love 

The  human  heart  can  be. 

For  millions  deeper  in  despair 

Implore  our  aid  in  vain. 

When  if  one  spark  of  heaven  were  there 

Our  hands  might  rend  their  chain. 

How  long  shall  man  resist  thee  so  ? 
^Tis  time  the  hour  began 
When  hearts  shall  feel  for  human  woe^ 
And  man  be  friends   with  man. 
Unfailing,  boundless,  and  divine, 
Thy  glorious  mercy  towers  ! 
And  since  unwearied  love  is  thine 
|f ay  grateful  hearts  be  oura. 


'•i 


me,  when 
ds  of  vice 
ig  on  ouv 
hin  him  as 


iil:'S.»#j/V 


